From a Warwickshire Field to the British Museum: The Metal Detectorist’s Find That Captured Tudor History

The Tudor Heart, a 24-carat gold pendant linked to Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, secured by the British Museum after a nationwide fundraising campaign.

A Glittering Discovery in the Midlands

In the quiet fields of Warwickshire, a county steeped in England's medieval and Tudor past, an extraordinary chapter of history emerged in December 2019. Charlie Clarke, a Birmingham cafe owner who had only taken up metal detecting six months earlier, swept his detector across a farmer's field and unearthed a gleaming 24-carat gold heart-shaped pendant attached to a heavy chain of 75 links.

What he had stumbled upon was no ordinary trinket. It was the Tudor Heart, one of the rarest surviving artefacts from the reign of Henry VIII and his first queen, Katherine of Aragon. Clarke described the find as a "once in 30 lifetimes" moment and said he planned to use his share of the reward for his son's education.

A Jewel of Royal Significance

Experts at the British Museum confirm the pendant likely dates to around 1518. Research suggests it was crafted to celebrate the betrothal of the royal couple's young daughter, Princess Mary, to the French dauphin. Its exquisite craftsmanship includes enamelled motifs, a hand emerging from clouds as a clasp, and inscriptions including a French motto possibly reading "tousiors" marking it as a unique piece of Tudor court jewellery.

As the only known jewel surviving from Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon's 24-year marriage, the pendant provides rare insight into the early Tudor court. British Museum experts emphasise its historical importance, noting that no other surviving artefacts from that period of the royal couple's life exist in UK collections.

Responsible Discovery Under the Treasure Act

Clarke immediately reported the find under the UK's Treasure Act 1996, a law designed to protect significant discoveries while ensuring museums have the opportunity to acquire them for the nation. The British Museum led the research and confirmed its exceptional value.

"Discoveries like this show how amateur detectorists can contribute to our understanding of history when they follow ethical practices," said a spokesperson for the British Museum.

A Nationwide Effort to Secure the Tudor Heart

With ownership set to revert to the finder and landowner if the museum could not acquire it, the British Museum launched a major fundraising campaign in October 2025. The target was £3.5 million, covering the reward for both Clarke and the landowner and securing the pendant for public display.

The response was overwhelming. More than 45,000 individuals donated, alongside significant contributions including £500,000 from the Julia Rausing Trust and a decisive £1.75 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. By February 2026, the fundraising target was met, keeping the Tudor Heart in the UK.

Mystery in the Midlands

No further artefacts were found at the discovery site. Historians speculate that the pendant may have been lost during royal travel, hidden for safekeeping during turbulent times, or dropped at a grand event, leaving its presence in Warwickshire a historical mystery.

Plans for Public Display

The British Museum now plans to display the Tudor Heart in London and tour it across the UK, potentially returning it to Warwickshire near its discovery site. Museum officials believe this will allow local communities to connect directly with a tangible piece of their historical landscape.

"History is not confined to dusty archives or royal palaces," the museum stated. "Sometimes it lies just beneath the surface, waiting for a curious hand and a responsible heart to bring it back to light."

The Tudor Heart's journey from a Warwickshire field to a national treasure celebrates both the enduring legacy of England's Tudor past and the contemporary stewards who ensure it survives for future generations.

Securing the Tudor Heart was not just about acquiring a jewel. It was about keeping our shared heritage accessible to all," said the fundraising campaign director.